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Dec. 28 {1926. 1,611,887

. LE ROY C. CHOWNING CONTROL MEANS FOR GAS PRODUCER REGULATORS Filed Dec. 11, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FUSE S RESISTAHCEC) Dec. 28 1926.

LE ROY C. CHOWNING CONTROL MEANS FOR GAS PRODUCER REGULATORS Filed Dec. 11, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 //vl/f/vra/? [5 Roy 6? C/mwm'ny.

Mina Z7 Patented Dec. 28, 1926.

UNlTED STATES hA'lENT QFFECn,

LE BUY C. CI-ICWVIHNG, F CGRNING, NEW YQRK, ASSIGNOR TO CHOWNING REGULA- TOE GOREORATION, OF ELMIRA, E'EEW' YORK, A OQRIPOEATION OF NEW YORK.

CONTROL MEANS FOR GAS-PRODUCER REGULATORS.

Application filed. December 11, 1919.

This invention relates to an improve ment in control means for gas producer regulators.

The control means forming the subject of my present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with the type of regulator disclosed in my prior Patent 1,066, and which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The primary object of my present invention is to provide a control means which may be operated either through the medium of a hand-controlled electric switch, to effect a shuttinn' off of the steam which controls the gas-making in a gas producer, either before furnace is reversed, or for an y other on during the course of the operation of V s producer, sucn control means also einlmdyi-ng an automatic feature which acts as a sensitizer for the regulator, to effect an operation of the latter upon a sudden building up of the pressure in the gas main, the automatic feature being in its operation in dependent of the hand-controlled feature of J the invention.

T he effect of thus shutting off the steam, is to temporarily reduce or stop the gas production, and thus save the gas, which, upon the reversal taking place in a furnace, such as a regenerative steel, or a glass furnace, is ordinarily wasted up the furnace stack during the period of reversal, which period varies ordinarily between two and fifteen seconds.

By thus shutting off the steam slightly in advance of the time that the valve reversail takes place, the gas production is reduced or stopped, thereby leaving the pressure in the main between the producer and the reversing valve, at Zero. Although this operation, namely, the shutting off of the steam, does not entirely eliminate the waste, for the reason that the producer stack or main cmisiderably below atmospheric pressure, the waste being carried away up the stack: under a vacuum, nevertheless considerahle saving is effected.

The invention will be found to be also particularly of advantageous use in connection with regenerative furnaces which use waste heat boilers, where it is necessary to stop entirely the making of the gas during reversals, since otherwise the gas passes through the boiler mounting, thus form- Serial No. 344,223.

in an explosive mixture, sometimes with very disastrous results.

Where open hearth furnaces are used in the steel industry, the gas producers are often located some distance from the furnaces, and heretofore it has been customary, in order to coordinate the reduction of the gas-making, with the reversal of the furnace, for the melter in charge of the furnace oper ation, to signal, in some manner, such for instance as by waving the hand. to the operator in charge of the gas-house, when changes in the quantity of the gas were required. This system obviously results in a rather haphazard control of the gas production, with respect to the time element involved, because of the impossibility to ex actly coordinate the signal system, and thereby eliminate the lag which would necessarily occur between the giving of the signal, and the resultant control of the quantity of gas being produced.

It is an object of this invention to obviate these disadvantages, by providing a control means for the pressure regulator which is at all times under the immediate control of the nielter in charge of the furnace operation, whereby he can at will control the making of the in the producer.

In carrying out the invention, an electrically controlled valve is used, which, when opened, will admit compressed air to the chamber in which the diaphragm of the pressure equalizing mechanism is mounted, the admission of such air effecting, through the operation of the diaphragm, the closing of the steam valve, and a consequent stoppage of the gas-making in the producer. The valve is controlled from thefurnace, so that the melter in charge of the furna e thus has the production of the gas under his control.

The automatic features of the invention, above referred to, provides for by-pass around the throttle valve of the gas piston which is established between the pressureregulator the gas main, such by-pass being controlled by an automatically operat ing valve, which is set so that it will open upon a sudden rip-building of the pressure in the main above its normal point, whereby to allow the pressure of the gas piston to quickly act upon the pressure regulator for operating the same, thereby sensitizing the regulator, and eliminating the lag; which would ordinarily occur between the building up of the pressure and the resultant actuation of the regulator by reason of the pre sure in the fluid piston liar-ins; to pass or v seep through the throttle valve before reachin and acting upon the regulator.

ith these and other objects in view, which will become apparent as the description proteeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more tully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the seve 'al figures of: which,-

Figure 1 represents adiagrammatic vertical sectional view through a producer, furnace, and producer regulator and control means therefor, the regulator and con trol means being drawn to a larger scale than the producer and the "furnace, for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 represents a vertical sectional View through the regulator control means, the control .ieans being shown as disconnected from the pressure regulator, and being rotated on its vertical axis on an angle of 180 with respect to the position shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a top plan View of the control means.

Referring more particularly to the drawin 's, the producer is indicated generally at A, the main or stack at B, the furnace-reversing valve is indicated generally at C, and the control lever for shiftingthe valve is indicated generally at D. These parts are shown diagrammatically, and as their construction and operation is understood by those skilled. in the art, a more detailed de scription of them is deemed unessential.

The type of pressure regulator or n'iaintainer, in connection with which the control means is particularly adapted to be used, disclosed in Patent 1,066,252, and includes tliediaphragin 5, movable vertically within the cover or chamber 6, the shirts or side walls or" the diaphragm extending below the normal level of the fluid contained in the chamber. The steam and air is ted to the producer through the steam inyectors 7 as is common practice, the steam for the injectors being fed through the pipe 7, and piston valve controls the steam, its location being," indicated generally at 8.. It is not necessary to describe this valve in detail further th to that it preferably ot the c d i pei o c ta e ase f ne";

The piston oi the valve is con ected with aw e iglited lever t) which is operable byasecond weighted lever 10, pivoted at 11, andcoiiiiected to a rod 12, "which inoves with diaphragm it the diaphragm raisedfmoi/ement is transmitted through the stem or rod 12, levers 10 and 9, to the piston 8, thus shutting oil the air and steam from the producer blowers.

A pipe 13 enters the chamber 6 from below, and terminates under the diaphragm 5 and at a point above the norn'ial liquid level. This pipe connects through pipes let and i with a pipe 16, which in turn connects to the main B. The pipe connection thus established between the chamber 6 and the main, is of relatively small diameter with respect to the main, and merely serves to transmit the pressure in the main to the under side of the diaphragm. In order that the tars and hydrocarbons will be prevented from being deposited in this pipe connection, there is maintained therein between the diaphragm and the gas main, a piston of a stable gas, such for instance, as atmospheric air or one of the tired and for this purpose, compressed air non-i a pipe 17 is introduced into the pipe conn ction be tween the diaphragm and the main at the point 18, and in order to prevent the loss 0t this atmospheric air by leakage or dil'lusion, a minute quantity of air is uniio ily l ed to the pipe connection through a suitable valve such as that indicated at 19.

The construction and operation of the parts heretofore described are disclosed more in detail in Patent 1,066,252, and it thought that a more detailed description is here unnecessary.

The controller for the regulator is indicated generally at E, and includes a casing consisting of upper and lower sections so and 21, respectively, secured together in asuitable manner, the section 21 having a top member 22 which forms a partition between the upper chamber 23 and the low cha'uiin? ber 24-, a valve opening 25 being orovidcd in the partition, such openi l trolled by a valve 26. A pa ion the lower limits of the luv: oh

and on this partition, a valve star. is formed.

The valve stein on which the valve 26 is carried, is slidably mounted in the guide 28, and a spring 30 interposed between the partition 27 and a retainer on the stem, 11. maintains the valve 26 in seated position against the pressure of the air admitted to the chamber'24e. 'Air under approxiinutcl ten pounds pressure per square inch is main-- tained the chamber, 2i, through the me- 'diuin of a pipe 32 connected at one end to the chainber are: the point 33 at its other end connected'to the point Sd positioned beyond fibf i he Pipe l i l the lower e is an el'ectr -inagnet inclut (311e, o'l' the wires; namely. branch oiithe circuit out the coil, has a tor-- initial 3? on the lever Or the rerersing valvecontrol 1). The other wire 38, forming the other branch oi the circuit. has a split terininal, one branch 0t which is connected to one plate 39 of the segment along which the lever 37 operates, the other branch being connected at 40 to the other plate oi": the segment. The segments are r I each other as at ll, and who lever is in alinement with the insulation, in the position shown, the coil is inactive. in armature l2 carried by the valve store a.

The upper chan'iber of the controller, connects at the point -13 with one end ot a pipe ll, the other end oi which pipe is in communication with the pipe 1% as at which pipe l-l forms a portion of the pipe eoijinection between the diaphrz gin chamber 6, and the main B.

The operation of the control er so tar scribed, is as follows,

ll l'ien the (iterator at the furnace shitts the reversing valve control over to reverse the draft through the tlues,

tin circuit controllin the magnet 35 is closed. The arms ture (-152 is thus attracted, lifting the valve 535 from its seat, against the tension of the spring 30, and the compressed air rushes through the chamber 23, pipe it, and pipes l4.- and 13, into the chamber iunlerncath the diaphragm 5. The latter is thus caused to rise, actuating the levers 10 and 9, and thus closing the steam valve, and hence cutting oil? the production of gas making in the producer. The valve having been reversed, and the control lever being returned to neutral position, the circuit through the coil is opened, and the spring 30 returns the valve 26 to its seat. The compressed air, as the diaphragm lowers, escapes through the pipe connections 15 and 16 into the gas main l5, passing through the throttle stop-cool: 46 on its wa As the diaphragm moves into its normal position, the valve 8 is opened, again allowing the delivery of steam to the producer blowers.

The automatic feature of the controller, that is the sensitizing feature for the pressure regulator, comes into operation as a result of the gas pressure in the main building up very rapid from any cause, such for instance as the lowering of the furnace gas control valve F. This feature of the in vention includes a valve 47 arranged in the upper portion of the controller, which valve forms normally a closure between the chamber 23 and asmaller chamber L8 thereabove. Communication between the chamber 48 and the pipe 15, forming a section of the pipe line connection between the diaphragm and the main, is established by a pipe 49, which communicates with the pipe 15 at a point above the throttling stop cook 46 As already pointed out, communication between the chamber 23 and the pipe 14,

at a point below the throttling stop cock -16 is established by the pipe l-fl. A by-pass around the throttle valve or stop c-ocl: thus established, such by-pass being controlled by the valve 47.

The valve 417 is carried on a stem 50 and is normally held closed by a spring 51, which is set to allow the valve 17 to open when the pressure in the pipe connection between the diaphragm and the main, that is when the pressure in the fluid piston, rises slightly above the normal working pressure. The tension on spring 51 may be varied, by the adjusting nut 52 at the top of the stem 50. Thus the value t? may be set to operate at any desired pressure.

The operation of the automatic control feature, or the pressure regulator sensitizing means, is thus controlled by the pressur of the gas in the producer. Upon the build-- ing up suddenly oi the pressure in the producer or the main, and the consequent in. crease of pressure in the fluid or air piston which is maintained in the pipe line connection from the main to the diaphragm, the How of the pressure, being retarded by the throttle valve or stop cock 46, will pass through the pipe 49 into the chamber 48, opening the valve l7 against the tension ct its spring, and thus establishing communication around the throttling valve through the chamber 28 and pipe at with the diaphragm chamber, and will thus all-ow immediate response of the diaphragm to the sudden increase of pressure in the main.

Thus the lag which would otherwise occur upon aquick building up of the pressure in the main, between the time of the increase of such pressure, and the time that the pressure regulator responded to such increase, by reason or the necessity of the pressure being retarded by the throttle valve, will be eliminated, and as a consequence, the pressure regulating means will be sensitized, and will respond immediately to any sudden increase of pressure in the main.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1- 1. In combination with a producer, a uniform pressure-1naintaining means including a piston ot a fixed gas having a throttle valve therein, a control mechanism for said pressureunaintaining means including a b pass around the throttle valve, a valve for said by-pass, and yielding means o normally maintain said valve closed age it a irede termined pressure oi the gas piston, and to permit said valve to open when such pressure increases beyond: said predetermined point, whereby to sensitize said uniform pressure-maintaining means.

In combination with a gas producer, a

ltll) uniform pressure-inaintaining means, including a throttle valve, a control; mechanism for said pressure-maintaining means including a by-pass for fluid under pressure around the throttle valve, and an automatically operating control means for the bypass maintaining the bypass closed against a predetermined pressure of gas in the producer main, and opening the by-pass when the pressure of the fluid increases beyond the said predetermined pressure of the in the producer.

3. In combination with a gas producer, and means for maintaining uniform pressure therein, means for regulating the operation of said uniform pressure-maintaining means, a furnace supplied by the producer having a furnace-reversing valve, and a control element common both to the said regulating means and to the said valve.

In con'ibination with a gas producer, and means for maintaining uniform pressure therein, means for regulating the operation of said uniform pressure-1naintaining means, a furnacesupplied by the producer having a furnacer versing valve, and a control element common both to. the said regulating means and the said valve, said. regulating means including means for causing saio uniform pressure-maintaining means to operate independently of said common control element.

In combination with a gas producer, means for maintaining a uniform pressure therein, a furnace supplied by the producer having a furnace-reversing valve, a control lever for said valve, and means also con.- trolled by said lever for controlling the operation of the said uniform pressureiinaintaining means.

6. The combination of a gas producer, a

pressure-maintaining means .therefor, a regulator for said pressure-maintaining means, including a valve to admit air to said pressure-maintaining means, a furnace supplied by the producer having a reversing valve, and operating means for the furnace reversing valve, said operating means also controlling the operation of said air-admitting valve.

7. The combination of a gas producer, a pressure-maintaining means therefor, a furnace supplied by the producer having a furnace-reversing valve, operating means for said valve, and a control means for the said pressure-maintaining means, said control means being also controlled by said valveoperating means.

8. The combination of a gas producer, a pressure-maintaining means therefor, a furnace supplied by the producer having a furnace-reversing valve, operating means for said valve, and electrically operative controlling means for said pressure-maintaining means, said electrically operative control means being controlled by the said valveoperating means.

The combination of a gas producer, a regulator for maintaining uniform pressure in the producer and including a diaphragm exposed to the pressure in the producer main, a furnace supplied by a producer having a reversing valve, of means for increasing the pressure on the diaphragm of the regulator automatically upon a sudden building up of the pressure in the producer or upon actuation of the reversing valve of the furnace.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature,

LE nor 0. onowume. 

